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Physical Sciences - Article
Timur Shegai
Chalmers University of Technology
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4266-3721
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Spontaneous formation of ordered structures – self-assembly – is ubiquitous in nature and observed on different length scales, ranging from atomic and molecular systems to micro-scale objects and living matter. Self-ordering in molecular and biological systems typically involves short-range hydrophobic and van der Waals interactions. Here, we introduce an approach to micro-scale self-assembly based on the joint action of attractive Casimir and repulsive electrostatic forces arising between charged metallic nanoflakes in a solution. This system forms a self-assembled optical Fabry-Perot microcavity with a fundamental mode in the visible range (long-range separation distance ca. 100-200 nm) and a tunable equilibrium configuration. Furthermore, by placing an excitonic material in the microcavity region, we are able to realize hybrid light-matter states (polaritons), whose properties, such as the coupling strength and the eigenstate composition, can be controlled in real-time by the concentration of ligand molecules in the solution and light pressure. These Casimir microcavities can find future use as sensitive and tunable platforms for a variety of applications, including opto-mechanics, nanomachinery, and cavity-induced polaritonic chemistry.
Keywords
self-assembly, self-ordering, Casimir microcavities
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This preprint is under consideration at a Nature Portfolio Journal. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Nature journals have partnered with Research Square to offer In Review, a journal-integrated preprint deposition service.
Physical Sciences - Article
Timur Shegai
Chalmers University of Technology
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4266-3721
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 1
Posted 24 Mar, 2021
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Spontaneous formation of ordered structures – self-assembly – is ubiquitous in nature and observed on different length scales, ranging from atomic and molecular systems to micro-scale objects and living matter. Self-ordering in molecular and biological systems typically involves short-range hydrophobic and van der Waals interactions. Here, we introduce an approach to micro-scale self-assembly based on the joint action of attractive Casimir and repulsive electrostatic forces arising between charged metallic nanoflakes in a solution. This system forms a self-assembled optical Fabry-Perot microcavity with a fundamental mode in the visible range (long-range separation distance ca. 100-200 nm) and a tunable equilibrium configuration. Furthermore, by placing an excitonic material in the microcavity region, we are able to realize hybrid light-matter states (polaritons), whose properties, such as the coupling strength and the eigenstate composition, can be controlled in real-time by the concentration of ligand molecules in the solution and light pressure. These Casimir microcavities can find future use as sensitive and tunable platforms for a variety of applications, including opto-mechanics, nanomachinery, and cavity-induced polaritonic chemistry.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
This preprint is available for download as a PDF.
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